Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

10/01/2025

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.
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Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

07/19/2024

Check out this pic of a Coachwhip recently on Sevilleta NWR. These snakes (Masticophis flagellum) are long, common and not venomous, and love the heat. Definitely keep an eye out for them while on the Refuge. They will not harm you, but we don't want to disturb their habitat. Enjoy! (USFWS photo credit/Endi Piovesana)

05/23/2024

Memorial Day message from Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland:

As we approach the holiday weekend, I want to wish each of you a calm and reflective Memorial Day.

Growing up in a military family, my siblings and I were fortunate to learn the values of service and dedication to community from my parents. My dad was a 30-year combat Marine, and my mom was a Navy veteran before embarking on a 25-year career right here at the Department within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They showed my siblings and me the importance of protecting our communities and our country, and their lessons continue to inform everything I do.

To the families who have lost a beloved service member, thank you. Words cannot fill the space that your loved one left behind, but please know that we honor their sacrifice every day by working to make our country a better place for future generations.

05/15/2024

Spring to Sevilleta event - May 18, 2024
Join us at the Refuge on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m to 2 pm for bus tours of Sevilleta NWR and University of New Mexico research sites, science and recreation activities, a nature walk and more. It's always fun at Sevilleta! Event hosted by Amigos de la Sevilleta.

04/08/2024

All (protected) eyes to the sky. Solar eclipse viewing today! It starts around 11 a.m and goes until around 2 p.m. Got your eclipse glasses ready? You don't want to damage your eyes by looking up at the sun without them. Some wildlife can act kinda funky during a solar eclipse. To check it all out, click on our link at

Does a solar eclipse affect wildlife? The short answer – it does. Thank you for coming to our Ted Talk. The long answer – it does, and we can look to past eclipses for answers.

01/30/2024

The Amigos de la Sevilleta recently held a January meeting at the Refuge to introduce the public to the Bolson tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus). The meeting, held on Jan. 20, generated a lot of interest! Check out the overflow seating for attendees in the Nature Store at the Refuge's Visitor Center. Wow! The Bolson tortoise, once native to New Mexico, currently has only native populations in northern Mexico. The tortoise is the Refuge's newest species of conservation, expected to arrive at the Refuge in early March. We are so excited!
(Photo credit: USFWS/Samuel Vassallo)

01/09/2024

The Refuge will be closed Monday, Jan 15. for MLK Jr. Day, a federal holiday. Please take time to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights work he stood for. Thank you!

01/04/2024

Introducing Sevilleta NWR's newest staff member, wildlife refuge biologist Samuel Vassallo!
Samuel was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA but as a 2-year-old he went on his first backpacking trip through the Carson National Forest in northern NM. He attained his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Humboldt State University, and has worked various wildlife jobs, from above the arctic circle to below the equator, since. Thus far, he has worked for FWS at Humboldt Bay NWR, Arctic NWR and, for the past three years, at Audubon NWR. Samuel enjoys any activity that gets him outside and spends his free time birding, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, camping, hunting, and playing violin. He looks forward to continuing his career here in New Mexico and can’t wait to meet all of you. Welcome, Sam! (Photo credit/USFWS)

12/13/2023

The waterfowl are sure enjoying their newly improved habitat on the Refuge! Also, check out those clouds. Wow! (Credit/FWS)

12/13/2023

Our wetlands are wetlands again! Sevilleta NWR's ponds in Unit A and Unit B are filled again and the waterfowl are finding them. Refuge staff worked hard to find the right water control structure to keep our precious water on the Refuge for habitat improvement. Check out our video! (Credit/FWS)

11/09/2023

Thank you, veterans, for your service. In honor of Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11, the preceding Friday, Nov. 10, is a federal holiday.

07/31/2023

Happy Monday!